Let There Be Wonder (Acoustic) EP – Matt Redman
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Matt Redman released Let There Be Wonder, one of my favorite albums of 2020, in January, before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world. He recently released this six-song EP Let There Be Wonder (Acoustic), featuring five songs from that album, plus his classic “Blessed Be Your Name”. What holds all of these stripped-down songs together is that they are all about Jesus, and praising his wonderful name.
Even if you are familiar with these songs, I think you’ll enjoy these new versions. What really stood out for me was the use of strings on these songs. The EP was produced by Steve Marcia, who had the idea to use a string quartet as a signature sound for this project. Recorded during the lockdown, we hear four different string players who recorded themselves in four different locations, with beautiful results. I also enjoyed the backing vocals.
Below are a few comments about each song:

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Let There Be Wonder (Intro) – The EP begins with the chorus of “Let There Be Wonder”, written by Redman, Joshua Silverberg, Jacob Sooter and Corey Voss. The brief song features keys and strings.
Key lyric:
Let there be wonder, let there be wonder in this place
Let there be worship, let there be worship for Your name
Come Holy Spirit, how we need Your fire again
Let there be wonder, let there be wonder

We Praise You – This song was written by Redman, Brandon Lake, Brian Johnson and Phil Wickham. The song, about praising the Lord, features acoustic guitar, strings, piano and backing vocals.
Key lyric:
We’ll see You break down every wall
We’ll watch the giants fall
Fear cannot survive when we praise You
The God of breakthroughs on our side
Forever lift Him high
With all creation cry, ‘God, we praise You’
Oh, we praise You

All Praise (Sing Praise) – This song was written by Redman, Andi Rozier and Jason Ingram. The song features piano, acoustic guitar, strings, and some wonderful backing vocals. God’s amazing grace far exceeds our past mistakes. God brought us back to life again and we will rise with Jesus from the grave. He is coming soon. His promises all come true and He deserves all praise.
Key lyric:
Your name, Your name always
Jesus, You alone deserve all praise

Upon Him – This song was written by Redman, Andi Rozier and Jon Guerra. The song features acoustic guitar, piano, and backing vocals. There is no greater name than Jesus. One day every knee will bow and every heart confess (Philippians 2:10-11).
Key lyric:
Christ has died, we are forgiven
And Christ alive, we are the risen
And He shall come again
Praise the King, praise the King

Jesus Your Name – This song was written by Redman, Lindsey Sweet, Joshua Silverberg and Jacob Sooter. The song features backing vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, strings, and is about Jesus’s wonderful name.
Key lyric:
Jesus Your name, when the whole world shakes
Jesus Your name, I will ever praise
My battle cry every night and day
I’ll sing Your name over everything
I’ll sing Your name over everything

Blessed Be Your Name – This song was written by Beth and Matt Redman a few weeks after the tragedy of September 11, 2000, when they were in California for the start of a sabbatical break. The Redmans have said that this is “a song born out of the whole of life – a realization that we will all face seasons of pain or unease. And in these seasons, we will need to find our voice before God. The Church (and indeed the world) needs it songs of lament.” This version of the song has a slower pace than usual, and features strings, piano, acoustic guitar, backing vocals.
Key lyric:
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Best songs
All

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• Help! I Don’t Like the Music at My Church. Matt Merker writes “If you have misgivings about your church’s music because the lyrics are consistently vague, unhelpful, man-centered, and unclear—or even worse, they teach false theology—then you indeed have a legitimate concern. Pray. Raise the issue humbly with a pastor. Ask wise believers for counsel, and honor your conscience. On the other hand, what if the words your church sings are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable (Philippians 4:8), but you do not enjoy the musical accompaniment? Here are eight points to consider.”
• Watch the new video from Mat Kearney for his song “Pontiac” from this forthcoming album January Flower.
• New John Hiatt Music. Watch the video for “All the Lilacs in Ohio” by John Hiatt and the Jerry Douglas Band. The song is from their forthcoming album, Leftover Feelings, to be released May 21. The album and this video were recorded in Historic RCA Studio B in Nashville.

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It Was Finished Upon That Cross by CityAlight

CityAlight (“Yet Not I”, “Ancient of Days”) recently released a beautiful new hymn, “It Was Finished Upon That Cross”, written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson and Nigel Hendroff. Watch the lyric video here.

(Verse 1)
How I love the voice of Jesus
On the cross of Calvary
He declares His work is finished
He has spoken this hope to me
Though the sun had ceased its shining
Though the war appeared as lost
Christ had triumphed over evil
It was finished upon that cross
(Verse 2)
Now the curse, it has been broken
Jesus paid the price for me
Full, the pardon he has offered
Great, the welcome that I receive
Boldly, I approach my Father
Clothed in Jesus’ righteousness
There is no more guilt to carry
It was finished upon that cross
(Verse 3)
Death was once my great opponent
Fear once had a hold on me
But the Son who died to save us
Rose that we would be free indeed!
Death was once my great opponent
Fear once had a hold on me
But the Son who died to save us
Rose that we would be free indeed!
Yes, He rose that we would be free indeed!
(Verse 4)
Free from every plan of darkness
Free to live and free to love
Death is dead and Christ is risen!
It was finished upon that cross
Onward to eternal glory
To my Savior and my God
I rejoice in Jesus’ victory
It was finished upon that cross
It was finished upon that cross
It was finished upon that cross